Man Utd team up with Google to put faraway fans pitchside

Manchester United''s Robin Van Persie celebrates scoring against Stoke City during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, northern England, October 26 (REUTERS)

Manchester United have joined forces with technology giant Google to allow a handful of soccer fans around the world to follow next month's clash with Liverpool as if they were pitchside at Old Trafford.

To heighten the sense of being at the game, images of the fans will appear live on the digital advertising hoardings at the stadium during the Premier League game on March 16.

Their pictures will be streamed using the Google+Hangout system, a video chat function.

Google described the move as an "experiment into what the future of supporting your team could be", although the initiative will be limited to only around 10-20 fans this time.

United fans are being asked to share a picture on Google+ with the tag "#MUFrontRow" to show their support and the participants will be chosen from this group.

English champions United claim to have more than 650 million global followers.